Expansion plans for Garston Market

The local authority wants to increase the number of pitches from 58 to 88 and use the facility at weekends for farmers’ markets and arts and craft fairs.

According to a planning document included with the council’s application, any new craft, art, antique or farmers’ market would only take place bi-monthly.

Operating every Friday, the long-running market has stalls stocking a range of items including fruit and veg, meat, fish, household goods, bedding, plants and clothing.

The Garston Village Masterplan, adopted by the council in 2014, said the current market is “surprisingly large and successful given the problems experienced elsewhere on the high street”.

The masterplan suggested that improvements to the public realm around the market site on Speke Road and the rearrangement of its layout would be beneficial to its long term future and could help reverse the decline of Garston Village.